Senator Rubio-Hagel Has “Big,Big Problems,” Will Not Support Nomination

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has just announced that he will not be supporting former Senator Chuck Hagel, as Secretary of Defense.

During a live interview on Fox News, just moments ago, Rubio stated he was “deeply concerned” about Hagel’s previous statement in regards to sanctions on Iran, negotiating with North Korean, and the statements he has made about Israel. Senator Mike Lee and Mike Lee have already stated that they would oppose Hagel. Rubio said that Hagel hasn’t said anything that would change his mind during his confirmation hearings.

I’ve stated long ago that I have been deeply concerned about his previous comments, with regards to sanctions on Iran, with regards to direct negotiations with North Korea, obviously statements he’s made about Israel, and these are not the kind of statements and positions that I want our Secretary of Defense have. These are big, big problems. For those reasons I just don’t believe I will be able to support his nomination.-Senator Marco Rubio

Here is Rubio’s official statement of non-support-

“After carefully reviewing Senator Hagel’s record on a number of issues, I cannot support his confirmation as our nation’s next Secretary of Defense. I oppose his confirmation because of his views on U.S. policy toward Cuba, his past opposition to tough Iran sanctions, his questionable comments in the. past about U.S. support for Israel, his support for direct, bilateral negotiations with North Korea and, most importantly, my belief that he will usher in a new era of austere defense budgets that will severely impede U.S. national security by hampering readiness and radically limiting the global force projection of our military.

Here is Rubio’s Fox News statement and video hit-

“Senator Hagel served his country during the Vietnam War with great distinction and has an admirable record of public service. I also appreciate him taking the time to visit with me this week. Unfortunately, his policy views are too far apart from what I believe to be the way forward for preserving America’s proper role in the world as a force for security and peace. Now more than ever, I firmly believe the U.S. needs a robust military capability that includes a renewed commitment to our shipbuilding program, a reliable nuclear deterrent to defend against rogue nations and a nimble counterterrorism force able to confront the asymmetric warfare of the 21st century.”

About author

As the managing editor of The Shark Tank, Javier was awarded the 2011 CPAC Blogger of the Year. Countless videos and articles from the Shark Tank have been featured on Fox News, The Hill, Wall Street Journal, and other national news publications. Javier has also appeared on Univision’s “Al Punto” and numerous radio shows, including being the weekly 92.5 Fox News' DayBreak with Drew Steele political contributor, as well as one of NewsmaxTV's conservative commentators.
Javier has also authored "BROWN PEOPLE," which is a book about Hispanic Politics. Learn more at www.brownpeople.org

Sad to see Rubio join the Israeli sock puppets that abound in our formerly great Republican party. These bozos (MacCain, Cruz, Graham etc. ) never saw a war they didn’t like. We won’t win another presidential election until we shed the appellation The War Party. Think of America First for a change!

Good for Rubio, especially after that unnecessary vote for Kerry. Hagel gets thanks for his military service. But a vote for him by any Republican would be a disservice to the military and the country. DOD is clearly above his pay grade.

Chopper

It seems that Rubio votes in lock step with McCain & Graham 99% of the time. Just wonderering if that negates his professions of Conservative ideals. His vote for the traitor, Kerry, was very disappointing but predictable after watching McCain & Graham.

FLgeezer

>It seems that Rubio votes in lockstep with McCain & Graham 99% of the time

Sadly, Rubio has to please the tens of thousands of wealthy, influential, israel-firsters who make their home here. All war, all the time seems to be their credo. Will these “existential threats” (most recently Syria) ever cease? LOL!

‘McCain’s impotence was palpable as he ranted and railed, his red-faced fury assailing Hagel’s stony defiance. If, as one suspects, history’s judgment of the Iraq war will be as harsh as the American people’s, then McCain and his fellow Iraq war dead-enders will be the ones “on the wrong side of history,” as the Arizona Senator had the nerve to intone in his scolding lecture – odd coming from such a spectacularly failed presidential candidate. If indeed history has a side — a dubious proposition, at best — at least we can say McCain is on the wrong side of recent history: the American people wanted out of Iraq, they want out of Afghanistan, and they don’t want us meddling in Syria. Yet the tone deaf McCain actually brought up Syria at the hearing, haranguing Hagel and asking “How many more have to die?” ‘